SECOND WEEK OF LENT
SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 19, 2025
SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY | Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Greetings, and blessings, beloved family, and Happy Feast of Saint Joseph!
May Saint Joseph, the humble protector of the Holy Family and Patron of the Church, intercede for us and guide us in faith. May Saint Joseph intercede for all persons who bear the name Joseph, and Parishes named after Saint Joseph and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey. Amen 🙏🏽
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary | EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/19/catholic-daily-mass-16/
DAY 13: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/19/day-13-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer, during this time of his hospitalization after a prolonged respiratory crisis. We thank God as his health continues to improve and we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and God’s Divine healing and intervention.
Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS | A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/stations-of-the-cross/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
Today, as we continue our Lenten journey, Jesus reminds us that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. True love for God is not just about words but about a heart fully surrendered to Him. And love for others is not selective but a reflection of our love for God.
Lent calls us to examine our hearts. Do we truly place God first? Do we love selflessly? The first reading reminds us that obedience brings life and blessings, while the Psalm assures us that walking in God’s ways leads to joy. Love, when lived authentically, transforms us and draws us closer to Him.
Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with true love for You and for others. Help us to love without seeking reward and to live out Your greatest commandment daily. Amen. 🙏🏽
Wishing us all a love-filled and spiritually enriching Lenten journey. Amen. 🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH – For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the faithful guardian of Jesus and Patron of the Universal Church. A man of deep faith, humility, and obedience, Saint Joseph embraced God’s will with unwavering trust, silently fulfilling his mission as protector and provider of the Holy Family.
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, we humbly pray for fathers, workers, and all entrusted with the care of others, that they may follow his example of integrity, diligence, and selfless love. We ask for the grace to trust in God’s plans, to listen attentively to His voice, and to live out our vocation with faith and devotion. May we, like Saint Joseph, surrender our fears to God, embrace His will with courage, and serve with hearts full of love.
Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary and Guardian of the Redeemer ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
We thank God for His mercy and the gift of faith. May this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, greater love, and unwavering trust in His divine will. Amen. 🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 19TH: Today, we celebrate the great Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the silent yet powerful guardian of the Holy Family, a man of deep faith, unwavering obedience, and profound humility. He is the model of a perfect Christian life. Saint Joseph holds a place of great honor in the Church, not only as the earthly father of Jesus but also as the Prince and Patron Saint of the Universal Church, unborn children, fathers, families, immigrants, workers, employment, travelers, engineers, realtors, explorer, pilgrims, traveller, carpenters, engineers, realtors, doubt and hesitation, and of those seeking a happy death. He is the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed.
As we celebrate this great Solemnity of St. Joseph, let us all seek the intercession of this great protector of the Church, and ask him to pray for our sake, for the Church of God facing all sorts of challenges and persecutions. We also pray for all Fathers and workers all over the world. Let us all devote ourselves to the Lord through His role model, St. Joseph as our model and example that through this season and time of Lent we may become ever closer to God and be ever more attuned to His will and His truth. 🙏🏽
Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day | March 19th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: The Feast of Saint Joseph or the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, is also called Saint Joseph’s Day. St. Joseph has two feast days: St. Joseph the Husband of Mary on March 19th, and St. Joseph the Worker on May 1st. However, when St. Joseph’s feast day on March 19th falls on a Sunday it is moved to the Monday and celebrated on March 20th. As we honor Saint Joseph, we reflect on his quiet strength and his unwavering trust in God’s plan. The Gospel of Matthew recounts how, upon discovering Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph was faced with a difficult choice. He was a righteous man who sought to obey God’s law, yet he also wanted to spare Mary from shame. His decision to divorce her quietly reveals his compassion. However, God had greater plans for him. In a dream, an angel reassured him, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her” (Matthew 1:20). Upon waking, St. Joseph did as the angel commanded, accepting his divine calling with obedience and trust. He was a man who listened to God in the silence of his heart and responded with immediate trust. He guided and protected Mary and Jesus, leading them safely to Egypt when King Herod sought to destroy the Christ Child. He worked tirelessly as a carpenter, providing for his family with dignity and labor. Saint Joseph’s silent faithfulness reminds us that true greatness is found not in status or recognition, but in humble service to God. His life exemplifies the call to trust in God’s plan, even when it challenges our expectations. How often do we hesitate in fear when God calls us to something greater? Saint Joseph teaches us to step forward in faith, knowing that God’s ways are always higher than our own.
St. Joseph (1st c.), the pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of our Blessed Lord, was an ordinary manual laborer although descended from the royal house of Israel’s King David. Though the Gospels record no words from Saint Joseph, his actions speak louder than any words could. He was probably born in Bethlehem and probably died in Nazareth. His important mission in God’s plan of salvation was “to legally insert Jesus Christ into the line of David from whom, according to the prophets, the Messiah would be born, and to act as his father and guardian”. The darkest hours of his life may well have been those when he first learned of Mary’s pregnancy with the Son of God; but precisely in this time of trial Joseph showed himself great. After a time of uncertainty, was encouraged by an Angel to continue with the marriage plans. Because of his complete faithfulness and obedience to the will of God, St. Joseph was chosen to become the spouse of the Mother of God and the adoptive father of Jesus Christ. St. Joseph is the virtuous and “just man” of the New Testament, the lowly village carpenter of Nazareth, who among all men of the world was the one chosen by God to be the husband and protector of the Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ, God Incarnate. To his faithful, loving care was entrusted the childhood and youth of the Redeemer of the world. This feast encourages us to look at St. Joseph’s role as husband and head of the Holy Family. As the divinely-appointed earthly guardian and protector of the Holy Family, St. Joseph provided and cared for the material needs of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Child Jesus. After the Mother of God, not one of the children of men was ever so gifted and adorned with natural and supernatural virtues as was St. Joseph, her spouse. In purity of heart, in chastity of life, in humility, patience, fortitude, gentleness, and manliness of character, he reveals to us the perfect type and model of the true Christian. Poor and obscure in this world’s possessions and honors, St. Joseph was rich in grace and merit, and eminent before God in the nobility and beauty of holiness. Because St. Joseph was the representative of the Eternal Father on earth, the divinely appointed head of the Holy Family of God, the Church of Christ, on December 8, 1870, Pope Pius IX, solemnly proclaimed the foster-father of Jesus as patron and protector of the Universal Church, and from that time his feast has been celebrated on March 19th as one of his high rank. In some places it is observed as a Holy day of Obligation but not a holy day of obligation for Catholics in the United States.
In the West, the oldest reference to the cult of Saint Joseph (Ioseph sponsus Mariae) connected with March 19th appears around the year 800 in the north of France. Thereafter, reference to Joseph, the spouse of Mary, becomes more and more frequent from the 9th to the 14th centuries. In the 12th century, the crusaders built a church in his honor at Nazareth. But it was in the 15th century that the cult of Saint Joseph spread due to the influence of Saint Bernadine of Siena, and especially of Jean Gerson (+ 1420), Chancellor of Notre Dame in Paris, who promoted the cause that a feast to Saint Joseph be officially established. There were already some celebrations in Milan in Augustinian circles, and in many places in Germany. It was in 1480, with Pope Sixtus IV’s approval that the feast began to be celebrated on March 19th. It then became obligatory with Pope Gregory XV in 1621. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, and Pope Saint John XXIII inserted his name into the Roman Canon of Holy Mass in 1962. More recently, Pope Francis approved seven new invocations in the Litany to Saint Joseph: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in difficulties, Patron of exiles, Patron of the afflicted, and Patron of the poor.
Devotion to St. Joseph, fervent in the East from the early ages, has in later times spread and increased in such a marvelous way that in our day the Catholics of all nations vie with one another in honoring him. At present are the two major feasts in honor of St. Joseph. On March 19th our veneration is directed to him personally and to his part in the work of redemption, while on May 1st we honor him as the patron of workmen throughout the world and as our guide in the difficult matter of establishing equitable norms regarding obligations and rights in the social order. Promulgated in 1955, it replaced the older “Solemnity of St. Joseph” which had been celebrated since 1847—first as the “Patronage of St. Joseph” on the third Sunday after Easter and after 1913 as the “Solemnity of St. Joseph” on the Wednesday before the third Sunday after Easter. While Pope John XXIII inserted the name of St. Joseph in the Roman Canon of Holy Mass in 1962, Pope Francis, in 2013, added his name to the three other Eucharistic Prayers. On December 8th, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter called “With a Father’s Heart”, in which he recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion of this Apostolic Letter, Pope Francis proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. In his Apostolic Letter, the Pope describes Saint Joseph in a number of very striking ways – as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.
From his throne of glory in heaven, St. Joseph watches over and protects the Church Militant, and no one who calls on him in need ever calls in vain. There are indications that he died before the beginning of Christ’s public life. His was the most beautiful death that one could have, in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother Mary. His passing was one of peace, surrounded by love, an example of how we should hope to leave this world—faithful, trusting, and embraced by God’s mercy. He is the model of a perfect Christian life and the patron of a happy death. His patronage extends over the Mystical Body of Christ, over the Christian family, the Christian school, and all individuals who in their need appeal to his charity and powerful intercession, especially in the hour of death; for he who, when dying, received the affectionate ministry of his foster-Son, Jesus, and his Virgin spouse, Mary, may well be trusted to obtain for us the mercy of God and the grace of a peaceful and holy death. St. Joseph is invoked as Patron for many causes and many religious orders and communities are placed under his patronage. He is the patron, guardian and protector of the Universal Church. He is the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed. He is also the Patron Saint of fathers; families; married couples; children; unborn children; expectant mothers; workers; laborers; carpenters; cabinet makers; social justice; emigrants; engineers; immigrants; bursars: interior souls; dying people; happy death; holy death; house hunters; people in doubt; people who fight Communism; travelers; confectioners; craftsmen; protection of the Church; against doubt; against hesitation; Americas; Austria; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; California; Belgium; Bohemia; Canada; Carinthia; China; Croatian people (in 1687 by decree of the Croatian parliament); Florence, Italy; Korea; Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin; Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky; Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire; Mexico; Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee; New France; New World; Oblates of Saint Joseph; Peru; pioneers; Diocese of San Jose, California; diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; social justice; Styria, Austria; Turin Italy; Tyrol Austria; Universal Church; Vatican II; Vietnam; Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston West Virginia; wheelwrights.
From his throne in heaven, Saint Joseph continues to intercede for us. He watches over the Church, families, fathers, and all who turn to him in need. As our protector and guide, we can confidently entrust our worries to him, knowing that he will present them before the throne of God. As we reflect on the life of Saint Joseph, let us ask ourselves if we truly trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear. Are we open to listening to God’s voice in our hearts, as Saint Joseph was? How can we imitate his virtues of humility, obedience, and silent strength in our daily lives?
PRAYER: O God, who chose Saint Joseph as the faithful guardian of your Son and the protector of the Holy Family, grant that through his intercession, we may follow his example of humility, obedience, and unwavering trust in your divine will. May we, like him, listen to your voice and embrace our calling with courage and love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. 🙏🏽
Almighty God, You entrusted to the faithful care of Joseph the beginning of the mysteries of our salvation. Through his intercession may Your Church always be faithful in her service that Your designs will be fulfilled. Amen 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading/
Today’s Bible Readings: Solemnity of Saint Joseph | Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Reading 1, Second Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Reading 2, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Gospel, Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 1:16, 18–21, 24a
“Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him”
“Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”
OR
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 2:41–51a
“Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety”
“Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.”
In today’s Gospel readings, the two Gospel choices we have both highlighted the actions of St. Joseph. From the Gospel of St. Matthew, St. Joseph obeyed God and took care of the Holy Family, of the Lord and Mary, His mother. St. Joseph is portrayed as being in a moment of crisis, a crisis of intimacy. St. Joseph was betrothed to Mary. As betrothed, he and the Blessed Virgin Mary were legally husband and wife, but they would only live together as husband and wife after their marriage ceremony. The future happiness of this young man is suddenly clouded by an event of which he can make little sense, Mary’s pregnancy. What is he to do in this unexpected and confusing situation? The Jewish Law would have required him to take a course of action that went against all his natural feelings for Mary. In that moment of personal crisis, according to the Gospel reading, St. Joseph experienced God as Emmanuel, God with him. God communicated with St. Joseph at this difficult time in his life and St. Joseph was open to hearing God’s word to him, a word that directed him beyond what the Law required, prompting him to marry his betrothed, to take her home as his wife. The story of Joseph in today’s Gospel reminds us that God continues to communicate with us in the challenging situations of our own lives, including crises of intimacy. There is no personal dilemma that need cut us off from God. God speaks a word of love and wisdom to us even in the most unpromising moments of our life’s journey. Jesus reveals God to be Emmanuel, God with us, and God is with us, guiding us and supporting us, especially in our own difficult family experiences.
Then our Gospel reading today from St. Luke, gives an account of the moment when the Lord Jesus stayed behind in the Temple of Jerusalem at the age of twelve. St. Joseph was there together with Mary, His mother, as they searched for Him and found Him in the Temple. It was mentioned how the Lord obeyed His parents and went back with them to Nazareth, and how He grew in stature and wisdom in the world, in the eyes of God and man alike. According to the Gospel readings today, St. Joseph was not only open to God’s presence but revealed God’s presence to Mary, showing her great care and sensitivity in a disturbing and unsettling moment. St. Joseph inspires us not only to be open to God’s presence in difficult family moments, but to reveal God’s loving and tender presence to each other, to look out for one another, when events come along that are disruptive and disturbing. St. Joseph’s care for the vulnerable, for the pregnant Mary, and later for Mary and his young son when faced with exile, might prompt us to ask his intercession for all who have been rendered so vulnerable by life’s crisis, especially those facing political and religious unrest in our conflicted and. divided world.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading from St. Matthew highlights Joseph’s dilemma upon discovering that Mary was with child. As a “righteous man,” he sought to follow God’s law but also wished to spare Mary from shame. His decision to divorce her quietly shows his compassion, but God had a greater plan. In a dream, an angel reassured Joseph, calling him “son of David” and revealing that Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. St. Joseph, in obedience, accepted God’s call, taking Mary into his home and becoming the earthly guardian of Jesus. In both Gospel readings, St. Joseph’s life reminds us that holiness is found in quiet faithfulness and humble service. Though he speaks no recorded words in Scripture, his actions speak volumes. He listens, obeys, protects, and provides. His trust in God never wavers, even when faced with uncertainty.
In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Samuel, God spoke to the prophet Nathan the words that he was to deliver to King David of Israel, detailing what God had intended for him and his family. King David was one of the most righteous and greatest among the kings of Israel, and he was full of love for the Lord and was also a great shepherd, guide and leader for the people entrusted to his care by God, just the way how he cared for his sheep when he was still a shepherd in his youth. God therefore reassured David that his rule and reign over Israel, and that of his descendants, the reign of the House of David will last forever, and the descendants of David will always sit on the Throne of Israel. God had blessed David and his house, his descendants, and as long as they were faithful to the Lord, the kingdom of the people of God flourished and prospered. However, it was not always that the kings, the descendants of David had been faithful to God. Many of the kings beginning with Solomon himself, the son and successor of David, and the kings of Judah were unfaithful to God and were wicked in their way of life and actions. Thus, the fortunes of the kingdom of God’s people waned and eventually, as many of them remained unfaithful to God and committed great sins against God, the kingdom was destroyed and crushed, and the people of God scattered to many places. Yet, God still provided for those whom He loved, including even those who have sinned against Him. He gathered back the Israelites and preserved the descendants of David, through whom eventually St. Joseph was born, as the heir of David. It was through St. Joseph that the Lord Jesus became known as the ‘Son of David’ or the ‘Heir of David’. Despite them not biologically related, but the legal marriage of St. Joseph to Mary, the Lord’s Mother, made Jesus to be the legal heir of David. According to our first reading from 2 Samuel, God promised King David that his lineage would endure forever. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, who reigns eternally. Saint Joseph, a descendant of David, played a crucial role in this fulfillment by accepting God’s plan and raising Jesus as his own.
In our second reading today from St. Paul and his Epistle to the Church and the faithful in Rome, of the Lord’s promises made to Abraham and his descendants, of the Covenant that He has established with all of them. The Lord called Abraham from the land of his ancestors and for his faithfulness, righteousness and commitment to Him, He established a Covenant with him and his descendants, promising that he would become the father of many nations, and everything that God had promised did come true in the end. This was just like what He has promised to David, and God showed His promises coming true in all occasions, of which Christ is the culmination and fulfilment of all those promises. That is because through Christ, Who has come into this world as the Son of God born in the flesh and adopting our human nature, all of us have been made children of God by adoption as well, and every one of us through this spiritual link to Abraham, have made the latter our father in faith as well. Not only that, but God also fulfilled the promises He made to David, for Jesus Christ came to be the One to sit on the Throne of David for eternity, to be the one true and eternal King over all of God’s people, and hence, the House of David does indeed last forever as God had intended it. Yet, it was their righteousness, those of Abraham and David, as well as St. Joseph, that brought about this justification and grace in the first place. God saw what was inside man’s heart, even to the deepest parts within us that we may not even be aware of. He saw in all of these faithful predecessors of ours, a strong and dedicated love for Him, and the love for righteousness and justice in all things, and the desire to follow Him wholeheartedly, as they had done in their whole lives. St. Joseph in particular was known to be an upright figure, righteous and hardworking, dedicated and committed to God much in the same way as his ancestors, Abraham and David had lived their lives.
In our Responsorial Psalm, the psalm affirms God’s faithfulness to His covenant. Like David, Joseph was chosen for a special mission, and he remained faithful, trusting in God’s promises. His life is a witness that God’s plans are always greater than our fears. How do I respond when God’s plan for my life challenges my expectations? Like Joseph, am I open to listening and obeying God’s guidance, even when I don’t fully understand? How can I imitate Saint Joseph’s virtues of faith, humility, and quiet service in my daily life? Saint Joseph teaches us that true greatness lies in humble service and unwavering trust in God. Let us strive to follow his example by living our faith with quiet strength and deep devotion. May we entrust our lives to God’s will, knowing that He is always faithful.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Saint Joseph, a man of faith, obedience, and humble service. Help us to trust in Your plans, even when they are beyond our understanding. Give us the grace to listen to Your voice and follow You with courage. Through the intercession of Saint Joseph, may we live with steadfast faith and serve You with love. Amen 🙏🏽
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures on this great Feast and celebration of St. Joseph, head and protector of the Holy Family, Foster-father of Our Lord and Saviour, and the Spouse of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, we are all called during this season of Lent to look upon the good examples set by St. Joseph. Let us all be inspired by all the good examples, righteousness and faith which St. Joseph has shown each and every one of us. We are called to emulate him in our own lives, reminding ourselves to be more righteous and just, more committed to follow the Lord by following the examples of St. Joseph, who laboured hard in life with honesty and justice, not minding his own personal desires, ambition, ego or greed. He placed God above all else and the mission that He has entrusted to him, he has carried out with patience and virtue all the same. Great and holy Patron, St. Joseph, pray for all of us and pray for the Church of God, so that we will continue to be good role models and inspirations to everyone through our way of life, actions and works. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may He empower each and every one of us that we may always walk faithfully in His presence and may He bless all of our actions and works, and may St. Joseph, the Protector of the Holy Family and the Protector of the Church, intercede for us always, and help us through his inspirations and his prayers, that we may always walk courageously as he himself had done, in the path of his foster Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. St. Joseph, holy Saint of God, pray for us! Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade”. “This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”
As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey and not a forced march. 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTION: On this special Solemnity of Saint Joseph, we entrust our prayers to his intercession. We pray for fathers, that they may lead their families with wisdom and love. We pray for workers, that they may find dignity and purpose in their labor. We pray for those seeking employment, that they may be granted opportunities to provide for their needs. We pray for the Universal Church, that Saint Joseph may continue to protect and guide it in times of trial. We also pray for a holy and happy death, that we may pass from this world in the arms of Jesus and Mary, as Saint Joseph did.
LET US PRAY:
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you, God entrusted His only Son; in you, Mary placed her trust with you. Christ became man. Blessed Joseph to us too, show yourself a father, and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen 🙏🏽
(Prayer from the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, written by Pope Francis)
Lord, enable me to walk by faith each and every day. Allow my mind to rise above human wisdom alone and to see Your divine plan in all things. St. Joseph, pray for me that I may imitate the faith you lived in your own life. St. Joseph, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Almighty God, You entrusted the care of Your only Son to Saint Joseph. Grant that, through his intercession, we may grow in faith, obedience, and humility. May we, like him, trust in Your divine plan, even when we do not fully understand it. Help us to serve You in quiet faithfulness and to seek holiness in our daily lives. Through the prayers of Saint Joseph, protect our families, bless our work, and guide us to a peaceful death in Your loving embrace. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer and Protector of the Church Pray for us!
Jesus, I trust in You. Amen. 🙏🏽
May this Solemnity of Saint Joseph inspire us to live with unwavering faith, silent strength, and joyful obedience to God’s will. May he watch over us and intercede for us always. May this Lenten season bring us deeper conversion, unwavering trust, and a heart open to God’s transforming love. Wishing us all a safe, blessed, grace-filled and fruitful week. Amen. 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖